CSN West: Playoff & Conference Championship Possibilities Numerous in West

Wow, it is hard to believe we have just two weeks left in the regular season. Like most past seasons there are some almost guarantees at this point on who will be a part of the playoffs, and ones that have work to do or need help to make the field.

This week, I will go over these possibilities and also prognosticate who I think will be in the field of 20 from the ‘West’ conferences.

By Kent Schmidt
CSN West columnist
College Sporting News

What do each of the conference races look like?

Big Sky Conference
Montana State (9-1, 7-0 BSC)-- In the playoff field already and have a bye week before the "Brawl of the Wild" match with Montana. A win over the Grizzlies will likely give the Bobcats a Top 3 seed as well as the league’s automatic bid.

Montana (8-2, 6-1 BSC)-- In the playoff field already and also have a bye week before the "Brawl of the Wild" game. A win over MSU would give the Grizzlies the league’s automatic bid and there is a good chance the win would give them a Top 5 seed.

Portland State (6-3, 4-2 BSC)-- The Vikings need to win their last two games at Northern Colorado and at home against Weber State and probably need a lot of help because PSU cannot get to the seven DI win total (two of their wins this season were over sub-DI competition in Southern Oregon and Willamette (OR)).

Great West Conference
Cal Poly (5-4, 3-1 GWC)-- The Mustangs lost to UC Davis this past weekend in what would have given them the outright GWC title. South Dakota and North Dakota could potentially tie Cal Poly for the title should they win their final conference games. The Mustangs can not get to the seven win plateau as one of their wins was over DII Central Oklahoma but should they win their last two games against Eastern Washington, at home and South Alabama on the road, they could have an outside chance should there be no other seven win playoff-caliber teams.

South Dakota (5-4, 2-1 GWC)-- With a win over North Dakota on the road to end the season, the Coyotes would garner a share of the GWC title. USD is not playoff eligible this year.

North Dakota (6-3, 1-1 GWC)-- With wins at UC Davis and at home against South Dakota, the Fighting Sioux will tie for the GWC crown. Like USD, UND is not playoff eligible this year.

Southern Utah (5-4, 1-3 GWC)-- With two wins on the road to end the season, SUU would get to the seven win total and likely would get an at-large spot especially with a win at Northern Iowa this week. The Thunderbirds end the season at Northern Arizona.

Missouri Valley Football Conference
North Dakota State (9-0, 7-0 MVFC)-- In the playoff field already and with two wins, NDSU likely will be the top seed in the playoffs. Even one loss likely would leave the Bison with one of the Top 5 seeds. NDSU hosts Youngstown State and then travels to Western Illinois.

Northern Iowa (7-2, 6-1 MVFC)-- Likely in the playoff already but with two wins to end the season, the Panthers could get a Top 5 seed pending on what other schools do to end their season. UNI hosts Southern Utah this week and travels to Illinois State to end the season.

Illinois State (7-3, 5-2 MVFC)-- Given that the MVFC conference is ranked second, I believe the Redbirds are in even if they should lose to Northern Iowa at home in their last game after a bye week this week.

Indiana State (5-4, 3-3 MVFC)-- The Sycamore need to win out to get a chance to get into the playoffs. Indiana State plays at Missouri State and ends their season at home with Southern Illinois.

Youngstown State (5-4, 3-3 MVFC)-- The Penguins need to win out to be considered. Should they defeat North Dakota State on the road and Missouri State at home they likely will be in.

Pioneer Football League
Drake (8-2, 6-1 PFL)-- The Bulldogs just have Dayton at home this week to finish and with a win would end in no worse than a tie for the league title. Should Jacksonville or San Diego each lose one of their final two games, they will be the outright champions with their win.

Jacksonville (8-1, 5-1 PFL)-- The Dolphins looked to have the inside track for the title before losing to Drake last week. Jacksonville can get at least a share of the title with two wins, over Butler at home and on the road at San Diego.

San Diego (7-2, 5-1 PFL)-- USD also can share for the title with two home wins, over Marist and Jacksonville.

Southland Conference
Sam Houston State (9-0, 6-0 SLC)-- The Bearkats are in the playoffs now. Should they win out over Northwestern State and Texas State they will be a Top 5 seed.

Central Arkansas (7-3, 6-1 SLC)-- The Bears have one sub-DI win so they will need to defeat out of conference Texas State to be in the FCS playoffs

How do I think the races will end and what playoff teams will be selected from the West?

Big Sky Conference
I think the Big Sky will get just two FCS playoff bids. I think Montana State right now will defeat Montana and garner a Top 5 seed as well as the conference’s automatic bid and Montana will still get a home game in the second round.

Great West Conference
Cal Poly has won at least a share of the title but I believe they will not be selected for an at-large bid given that the Mustangs can not get to the seven DI plateau. Southern Utah could garner an at-large spot but I don’t believe it will defeat Northern Iowa this week so they are likely out as well.

Missouri Valley Football Conference
I believe North Dakota State will win the league’s automatic bid and gain the Top seed in the playoffs after winning their last two games. Northern Iowa will also get a Top 5 seed with two wins to end the season. I believe both Indiana State and Illinois State will also be in the FCS playoff field.

Pioneer Football League
No team will gain a FCS playoff bid this year and its likely the race will end with a two team tie. I think Drake and San Diego will tie for the PFL crown.

Southland Conference
Sam Houston State will win the league’s automatic bid and gain a Top 5 seed into the playoffs after winning their last two games. Central Arkansas will also get a spot with a win.

So in total, that will be eight bids in the playoffs for the West conferences if my predictions hold true.

But with two weeks left, anything can happen and likely will showing some changes to my predictions.

* * *

CSN West Game of the Week

Southern Utah (5-4) at Northern Iowa (7-2), 7 p.m. Eastern

This is a game between two potential FCS playoff teams. A win by either team will go a long way towards gaining a spot in the playoffs. UNI is likely in the playoffs already but SUU will need this victory and one to end their season to be considered.

UNI quarterback Tirrell Rennie was injured two weeks ago and sat out last week’s 21-17 win over Youngstown State. He will need to play in this one to defeat the Thunderbirds.

I think he will play and the Panthers will come out victorious. I like UNI by a touchdown.
Northern Iowa 24 Southern Utah 17